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Sixty minutes, in fact, and the Chicago Blackhawks sniper had an inkling Reto Berra could stop shots at hockey’s highest level.

“With him, right when I saw him play the first game, I knew he had potential to be an NHL goalie,” Kane recalled.

Most members of the Blackhawks were introduced to Berra in a Nov. 3 clash at United Center, when the Calgary Flames netminder kicked aside 42 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory, becoming just the sixth goalie in NHL history to defeat the defending champs in his big-league debut.

Kane, however, was already acquainted with Berra after logging 20 games with EHC Biel in the Swiss League during the lockout last fall.

The 26-year-old puck-stopper was a workhorse for Biel for four campaigns before finally crossing the Atlantic Ocean after the Flames acquired his rights from the St. Louis Blues.

“He was getting 50 or 60 shots a night there, and was the best player night-in, night-out on our team,” Kane said. “I know there’s not a lot of spots for that position in the NHL — there’s only 30 teams — but I knew that he wanted to make it happen and come over and play ...

“I played with him for two or three months, played with him at the Spengler Cup. He’s just a guy that seems to love playing goaltender and loves competing, so I’m sure he’s happy to be over here.”

The Flames are certainly thrilled to have him.

Berra made a seventh consecutive start in Wednesday’s showdown with the Blackhawks. It’s hard to believe it’s been just three-and-a-half weeks since some folks — myself included — were wondering if Flames head coach Bob Hartley had lost his marbles when he announced the unproven puck-stopper would make his debut at the Madhouse on Madison.

“You’re talking about going into one of the toughest — if not the toughest — environments to play in. And especially being his first game, you can imagine the amount of nerves and energy he had,” said Flames defenceman Chris Butler after Wednesday’s morning skate. “To see how calm he was in net and how relaxed and composed he was, I think that speaks volumes to the type of goalie he is going to be.

“I think everybody was extremely impressed after that performance.”

Around the boards

Flames RW TJ Galiardi, who has been MIA since making an early exit from Monday’s practice due to back spasms, is now on injured reserve. With only a dozen healthy forwards, LW Max Reinhart was summoned Wednesday from the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat ... Although Hartley cautioned that D Mark Giordano’s spin Tuesday at the Saddledome was “basically a public-skating session,” it’s great news the Flames captain is back on his skates after suffering a broken ankle Oct. 21 while blocking a shot. Giordano, who will be re-evaluated later this week, was expected to be out until mid-December but seems to be ahead of schedule ... Flames C Sean Monahan admittedly tries to model his game after Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews. Nice choice. “Playing good defensive hockey is as important as scoring goals for (Toews), and that’s why he’s a winner,” Hartley said. “I think that’s a great role model for Mony.

“He’ll get there.”

Off the glass

The Stanley Cup hangover hasn’t been an issue, but another challenge awaits the crew from Chicago. At least a dozen Blackhawks are candidates to represent their countries at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, and fatigue could be a factor ... Flames GM Jay Feaster and several other brass from the Saddledome made a trip Wednesday to Red Deer to watch D Rushan Rafikov — a seventh-round selection in the ’13 NHL Draft — in action for Team Russia in the CHL Subway Super Series. LW Morgan Klimchuk, the third of their hat-trick of first-round picks this summer, was skating for Team WHL ... Flames RW Brian McGrattan, who beat up Blackhawks LW Brandon Bollig in the first period Wednesday, is the NHL’s toughest customer right now. No question about it.

Sixty minutes, in fact, and the Chicago Blackhawks sniper had an inkling Reto Berra could stop shots at hockey’s highest level.

“With him, right when I saw him play the first game, I knew he had potential to be an NHL goalie,” Kane recalled.

Most members of the Blackhawks were introduced to Berra in a Nov. 3 clash at United Center, when the Calgary Flames netminder kicked aside 42 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory, becoming just the sixth goalie in NHL history to defeat the defending champs in his big-league debut.

Kane, however, was already acquainted with Berra after logging 20 games with EHC Biel in the Swiss League during the lockout last fall.

The 26-year-old puck-stopper was a workhorse for Biel for four campaigns before finally crossing the Atlantic Ocean after the Flames acquired his rights from the St. Louis Blues.